1. I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz.And this is the message that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:
2. The Lord has said,“Listen, heaven and earth!The children I raisedhave turned against me.
3. Oxen and donkeys knowwho owns and feeds them,but my people won't ever learn.”
4. Israel, you are a sinful nationloaded down with guilt.You are wicked and corruptand have turned from the Lord,the holy God of Israel.
5. Why be punished more?Why not give up your sin?Your head is badly bruised,and you are weak all over.
6. From your head to your toesthere isn't a healthy spot.Bruises, cuts, and open soresgo without careor oil to ease the pain.
7. Your country lies in ruins;your towns are in ashes.Foreigners and strangerstake and destroy your landwhile you watch.
8. Enemies surround Jerusalem,alone like a hut in a vineyardor in a cucumber field.
9. Zion would have disappearedlike Sodom and Gomorrah,if the Lord All-Powerfulhad not let a fewof its people survive.
10. You are no betterthan the leaders and peopleof Sodom and Gomorrah!So listen to the Lord God:
11. “Your sacrificesmean nothing to me.I am sick of your offeringsof rams and choice cattle;I don't like the bloodof bulls or lambs or goats.
12. “Who asked you to bring all thiswhen you come to worship me?Stay out of my temple!
13. Your sacrifices are worthless,and incense is disgusting.I can't stand the evil you doon your New Moon Festivalsor on your Sabbathsand other times of worship.
14. I hate your New Moon Festivalsand all others as well.They are a heavy burdenI am tired of carrying.
15. “No matter how much you pray,I won't listen.You are too violent.
16. Wash yourselves clean!I am disgustedwith your filthy deeds.Stop doing wrong
17. and learn to live right.See that justice is done.Defend widows and orphansand help those in need.”
18. I, the Lord, invite youto come and talk it over.Your sins are scarlet red,but they will be whiterthan snow or wool.
19. If you willingly obey me,the best crops in the landwill be yours.
20. But if you turn against me,your enemies will kill you.I, the Lord, have spoken.
21. Jerusalem, you are likean unfaithful wife.Once your judges were honestand your people lived right;now you are a cityfull of murderers.
22. Your silver is fake,and your wineis watered down.
23. Your leaders have rejected meto become friends of crooks;your rulers are lookingfor gifts and bribes.Widows and orphansnever get a fair trial.
24. I am the Lord All-Powerful,the mighty ruler of Israel,and I make you a promise:you are now my enemy,and I will show my angerby taking revenge on you.
25. I will punish you terriblyand burn away everythingthat makes you unfitto worship me.
26. Jerusalem, I will choosejudges and adviserslike those you had before.Your new name will be“Justice and Faithfulness”.
27. Jerusalem, you will be savedby showing justice;Zion's people who turn to mewill be savedby doing right.
28. But those rebellious sinnerswho turn against me, the Lord,will all disappear.
29. You will be made ashamedof those groves of treeswhere you worshipped idols.
30. You will be like a grove of treesdying in a drought.
31. Your strongest leaderswill be like dry woodset on fire by their idols.No one will be able to help,as they all go up in flames.